Phone Lines That Boost Wireless Signals Wireless networks get a boost from phone lines.

Wi-Fi networks are getting stronger and covering greater distances, but they can still be problematic when it comes to getting a signal into every nook and cranny of your work space.

Solid walls in old buildings and more transitory indoor obstacles can put a damper on your business network. Wireless extenders, repeaters and add-on antennas are some ways you can boost wireless signals to get coverage in hard-to-reach places. Another is to use the wires already in your walls. For example, SercoNet is developing a technology that sends Wi-Fi signals over your existing phone lines without affecting their use for voice or DSL internet access.

SercoNet's WirePlus solution works with 802.11 Wi-Fi, plugs into existing telephone outlets, and requires no software and minimal configuration. It essentially moves the radio signal from the Wi-Fi access point through the copper wires and retransmits it where needed on the other end. The receiver on the other end broadcasts the signal with virtually no loss of bandwidth. Dead spots can be eliminated without the need for complex hardware additions. Multiple units can be installed if there are multiple coverage problems.